The Last Horror Movie (2003)

Plot Summary:"A serial killer uses a horror video rental to lure his next victim. What begins as a teen slasher transforms into a disturbing journey through the mind of Max Parry, a mild mannered wedding photographer with a taste for human flesh."

Director Julian Richards mockumentary about a videographer who decides to make his own documentary about his murderous tendencies is actually quite a nifty little project, which kept me entertained throughout.

The premise sees psychopath Max Parry tape over a movie called The Last Horror Movie with his documentary that highlights a number of murders he has recently commited in an attempt to show what goes through his mind when he commits these acts.

The film probably works so well down to the fact that Kevin Howarth is such a charming man. He entices the audience to watch and asks a number of very important questions which you find yourself answering, only to then find that you are disgusted with yourself or even shocked at your lack of compassion.

The film very cleverly plays on our preconceived ideas of murderers, working you into a panic when children and the elderly are targeted, only to then allow you to breathe a sigh of relief as Max Parry knowingly smiles at you as if to say 'ha...do you really think i'm that sick?'

The make-up effects are all practical and are highly convincing, and the performances are very good too. I was highly intrigued and found myself laughing at things I probably shouldn't have, but I get the feeling that was the director's intention.

OVERALL SUMMARY
A very clever idea is well executed but loses something along the way. I nearly gave this a higher rating but it failed to fully manipulate and convince me, especially in it's conclusion which would have some people afraid to go to sleep after watching this alone late at night. Well conceived and well executed, this was a pleasure to watch not for it's gore and violence but for it's performances and sickly dark humour.